In California, paying someone to vote could result in a $10,000 fine or jail

Kaitlyn Schallhorn, The Orange County Register on Oct 2, 2025

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Starting next year, offering money or prizes for voting or registering to vote will be criminalized in California.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday said he signed two election reform bills into law, including one that criminalizes lotteries for voter registration or participation.

From state Sen. Tom Umberg, a Santa Ana Democrat, the idea is to ensure wealthy people or special interests cannot influence voter participation. Umberg has pointed to Elon Musk as an example; the former adviser to President Donald Trump paid some Wisconsin voters $1 million each earlier this year, during a tight state Supreme Court election.

Violators could face fines of up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to five years or both, according to Umberg’s office.

This bill had broad bipartisan support in the California Legislature.

Newsom also said he signed another bill from Umberg. This one will let California voters decide in November 2026 whether to overturn the statewide prohibition on counties and most cities setting up a public fund for campaign financing.

If voters did so, it would be up to local governments and the state whether to enact public financing programs, along with requirements to ensure accountability and fairness. Now, only charter cities — Los Angeles, Long Beach and San Francisco, for example — are allowed to implement public financing programs, according to Umberg’s office.

The bill was opposed by Republicans in the statehouse. Opponents said it could result in taxpayers financing political speech they do not support.

But those who agreed with the effort said lifting the ban is a way to give candidates an alternative to relying on wealthy donors to fund campaigns.

“California has sent a clear message: Our democracy belongs to the people,” Umberg said.

The new laws, he said, “are protecting voters from manipulative schemes and empowering communities to decide how campaigns are financed in our state. These laws reaffirm California’s commitment to fair, transparent and accessible elections.”

Newsom, in announcing his signature on these bills, did not refrain from taking shots at the Trump administration.

“California is the most diverse state in the world’s most diverse democracy,” Newsom said. “Right now, our founding ideals and values are being shredded before our eyes in Washington, D.C., and California will not sit idle.

“These new laws further protect Californians’ voices and civic participation in what makes our state and our country great.”

The news release from his office included information on the bills as well as a section labeled, “Trump’s attacks on democracy.” It included news links about the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement actions and crackdown on law firms’ pro bono work, among others.

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